Inhalants
Also Known As: air blast, highball, heart-on, hippie crack, moon gas.
What You Should Know
Inhalants include household glues, dry cleaning fluids, paint thinners, gasoline, felt-tip marker fluid, correction fluid, hair spray, and spray paint. Users sniff or snort the substances directly from the original containers, plastic bags (bagging), or by holding an inhalant-soaked rag in the mouth (huffing). Inhalants make you feel giddy and confused, like you're drunk.
What's the Problem?
- Long-time users get headaches, nosebleeds, and may suffer loss of hearing and sense of smell.
- Inhalants are the most likely of abused substances to cause severe toxic reactions and death. Using inhalants, even once, can kill you. You might die by suffocation, choking on your vomit, or having a heart attack.
- You could even develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic inhalant use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength.
- Inhalants are very addictive. Soon, you'll need them to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress.
